| Plan Action** |
Action Rank*** |
Research Need |
Partner/ Org. |
Status: N,IP, C**** |
Notes |
| |
|
1. Characterization of bay health by targeted benthic method or spatial baseline method |
TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| |
|
2. Economic valuation of bay. Improve methods to quantify the value of natural coastal resources |
HARC/ TAMU/ TPWD |
N |
|
| |
|
3. Impact of water motion (from wakes, props, trawling) on substrate, benthos and nekton |
Academia |
N |
|
| |
|
4. Impacts of nature-based tourism or non-consumptive tourism in specific areas |
TPWD/ TAMU |
N |
|
| |
|
5. Importance of ethnicity on person's use, stewardship and valuation of bay's resources |
TPWD/ TAMU |
N |
|
| |
|
6. Linear regression study between D.O., bacteria and chlorophyll |
Academia |
N |
|
| |
|
7. Risk assessment focusing on predicted population density and land use trends in the immediate bay watershed |
Academia/ H-GAC |
N |
|
| |
|
8. Spatial and temporal monitoring to evaluate phytoplankton trends and relationship with spatial and long-term WQ trends |
GBEP/ TCEQ |
N |
|
| |
|
9. Study effects of dredging and resuspension of suspended solids on ecosystem |
USACE/ TCEQ |
N |
|
| FW-1 |
18 |
10. Continue TWDB evaluation of FW inflow needs |
TWDB/ TCEQ/ TPWD/ GBFWIG |
C |
Discuss with NRU Subcommittee |
| FW-1 |
18 |
11. Determine Gulf/Bay flux at Bolivar Roads |
ACOE |
C |
3-D Hydrologic Model-(ACOE) Source-McFarlane |
| FW-5 |
22 |
12. Determine net quantity of sediment which has been prevented from reaching the estuary and determine feasibility of remobilizing sediment behind dams for transport to the estuary |
TWDB/ TCEQ/ TPWD/ GBFWIG/ BR/ GLO/ USACE/ USGS |
IP |
TWDB/GBFWIG - Investigated with GBFWIG? |
| FW-5 |
22 |
13. Develop a sediment budget for estuary |
TWDB |
IP |
TWDB-FWIG |
| FW-6 |
23 |
14. Determine the effects of drought on the estuary and the role GBEP may play in water conservation |
TPWD/ TWDB |
IP |
TWDB/TPWD-FWIG |
| FW-7 |
38 |
15. Develop methodology to evaluate effect of proposed structures on bay circulation. |
TWDB |
IP |
TWDB-GBFWIG |
| FW-7 |
38 |
16. Evaluate effect of existing bay structures and practices on bay circulation. |
TWDB |
IP |
TWDB-GBFWIG |
| FW-7 |
38 |
17. Evaluate feasibility and cost effectiveness of altering existing structures and practices that are harmful to circulation, bay habitats and species |
TWDB/ TPWD/ USACE |
IP |
|
| HP-1 |
1 |
18. Compile a list of wetland filling, creation, restoration and enhancement project status, acreage impacted or created |
USFW/ TPWD/ ACOE/ GBEP |
N |
Management Action/Not Research |
| HP-1 |
1 |
19. Determine causes of seagrass loss |
TPWD/ NMFS/ NBS |
N |
NMFS has information on this for West Bay. |
| HP-1 |
1 |
20. Evaluate effectiveness of marsh creation and enhancement techniques including success or failure, prepare descriptive list |
USFW/ TPWD/ NMFS |
N |
Some progress, but not specific to Galveston Bay or available to managers. Descriptive list is a management issue, not research. Much has been done on this. |
| HP-1 |
1 |
21. Evaluate effects of sediment depletion on coastal wetlands |
TPWD/ NMFS/ NBS |
N |
New Item. Question about whether there is a depletion. Can this be linked to other sediment studies. |
| HP-1 |
1 |
22. Evaluate impacts of coastal geophysical seismic surveys on coastal marshes |
USGS |
N |
|
| HP-1 |
1 |
23. Evaluate techniques to restore SAV (add environmental parameters) |
TAMUG/ NOAA/ TPWD |
N |
Similar to item 19. |
| HP-1 |
1 |
24. Evaluate the causes and impacts of black water and filamentous algae in coastal wetlands |
Academia |
N |
|
| HP-1 |
1 |
25. IBI for qualitative, quantitative evaluations of wetlands |
USFWS/ TPWD/ TCEQ/ Academia |
N |
New Item. Related to work by George Guillen? |
| HP-1 |
1 |
26. Identify and evaluate factors affecting marsh accretion in various coastal marsh types |
Academia |
N |
|
| HP-1 |
1 |
27. Inventory seagrass acreage, distribution and quality |
TPWD/ GBEP |
N |
|
| HP-1 |
1 |
28. Inventory wetland acreage, distribution and quality |
TPWD/ NMFS/ NBS |
N |
Monitoring Subcommittee Item |
| HP-2 |
2 |
29. Conduct bay-wide beneficial uses inventory |
BUG/ Gorini, Seidensticker |
N |
Monitoring Subcommittee Item |
| HP-2 |
2 |
30. Determine geographic distribution of contaminants for dredging/filling projects |
BUG/ Gorini, Seidensticker |
N |
Need GIS |
| HP-2 |
2 |
31. Develop and verify predictive models to assess impacts of circulation and salinity changes |
TWDB |
Y |
Check with NRU |
| HP-3 |
3 |
32. Develop definition of degraded wetland for use in inventory ranking |
USFWS/ TPWD/ TCEQ/ NMFS |
N |
IBI Related? |
| HP-3 |
3 |
33. Rank degraded habitats in order of increasing need for remediation. |
USFWS/ TPWD/ NMFS/ H-GAC |
N |
Monitorng Subcommittee task. Resolution problem. H-GAC has ;and-use/land cover info. |
| HP-6 |
6 |
34. Explore use of ad valorum tax incentive and other incentives to encourage habitat protection |
TPWD |
N |
NRU/Monitoring Program task. Check landover incentive program/ag exemption for wildlife, land trusts, ect. |
| HP-9 |
64 |
35. Determine correlation between magnitude and rate of erosion to wind driven waves and boat/ship wakes |
GLO |
N |
|
| HP-9 |
64 |
36. Determine effects of relative sea level rise on erosion |
GLO/ Academia |
N |
New. |
| HP-9 |
64 |
37. Determine effects of reservoir or surface impoundment construction on erosion |
TWDB/ TPWD/ USACE |
N |
|
| HP-9 |
64 |
38. Determine effects of sand/gravel mining on erosion |
GLO/ TPWD |
N |
|
| HP-9 |
64 |
39. Study means to reduce erosion and restore eroded fringing marsh in sensitive areas along GIWW and other problem areas |
GLO/ TPWD/ USFWS |
N |
|
| Mon. |
|
40. Apply remote sensing data to fisheries recruitment, erosion, and ecosystem patterns/changes |
USGS/ Academia/ NASA |
N |
|
| Mon. |
|
41. Determine appropriate indicators for GBEP programmatic monitoring. |
Academia/ EPA/ TCEQ/ GBEP |
N |
|
| Mon. |
|
42. Develop or identify WQ index for Galveston Bay health |
Academia/ TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| NPS-10 |
24 |
43. Assess agricultural NPS loadings to and impacts on the estuary |
USDA/ TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| NPS-2 |
8 |
44. Benefits and impacts of storm sewer/ditch/bayou vegetation maintenance |
TCEQ/ HCFCD |
N |
|
| NPS-2 |
8 |
45. Conduct pilot projects to demonstrate viability of NPS BMPs for new development in the estuary and compile bay-wide BMP performance document |
GBEP/ TCEQ/ Phase I,II Munic. |
N |
Partial compltion via Phase I and II implementation. WSQ focus. |
| NPS-2 |
8 |
46. Determine implications of NPS legislation on coastal management |
GBEP/ TCEQ |
N |
|
| NPS-3 |
9 |
47. Publish and inventory of NPS concerns in the bay watershed |
GBEP |
N |
Ongoing as part of TC&B Stormwater project. WSQ focus. |
| NPS-5 |
11 |
48. Conduct bay-wide septic system and geologic survey for use in regulation and management and identify problem areas |
H-GAC/ GBEP/ NRCS/ GMP/Kopfler counties |
N |
H-GAC has completed work on this issue. |
| NPS-5 |
11 |
49. Feasibility of alternative onsite wastewater systems |
TCEQ |
N |
|
| NPS-7 |
13 |
50. Determine and compile results of roadway planning and design-related NPS management issues |
GBEP/ TXDOT/ TC&B |
N |
See TC&B particulate reduction |
| NPS-8 |
28 |
51. Compile industrial NPS monitoring data to update NPS industrial area contributions to loadings |
GBEP/ EPA/ TCEQ/ Industry |
N |
|
| NPS-9 |
29 |
52. Inventory potential impacts from industrial groundwater plumes |
TCEQ/ Industry |
N |
|
| NPS-? |
7 |
53. Determine assimilative capacity of bay for NPS pollution, e.g. nitrate, phosphate |
Academia |
N |
|
| PH-1 |
54 |
54. Enhance (spatial and temporal) routine monitoring of contaminants in organisms for consumer health |
TCEQ/ TPWD/ EPA/ NOAA/ USGS |
N |
Monitoring Subcommittee task |
| PH-1 |
54 |
55. Establish seafood consumption risk assessment standards, methodology, and process for advisories. Establish standards for metals and organic compounds and apply to harvested seafood |
TDH |
C |
Complete. New round scheduled |
| PH-1 |
54 |
56. Identify toxic "hotspots" and determine relevance to seafood safety |
TDH/ NOAA/ TCEQ |
N |
|
| PH-1 |
54 |
57. Vibrio outbreak causes and results |
TDH/ TAMUG-Sammy |
IP |
New item. Ongoing. See also KM Jackson of Uconn on shrimp disease. |
| PH-2 |
60 |
58. Increase frequency of sampling to determine area and period of required shellfish closures |
TDH |
N |
Coordinate with Monitoring Subcommittee. |
| PH-3 |
68 |
59. Suitability of enterococci and E. coli as indicator for safety of contact recreation waters |
TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| PS-1 |
16 |
60. Conduct research to support bypass and overflow corrective action plans including costs/benefits. Determine if elimination of sources will allow opening of inshore areas for oystering |
TCEQ/ TDH/ Municipalities. |
N |
|
| PS-1 |
16 |
61. Identify cities with PS pollution problems |
TC&B |
N |
New Item. Part of Storm Water Project |
| PS-3 |
26 |
62. Identify potential management options for correction of small WWTP problems, including regionalization. |
GCA/ HCPC/ H-GAC/ GBEP |
IP |
Part of GCA series of WSQ-related projects and subject of new circuit rider program. |
| PS-4 |
27 |
63. Development of rapid bioassessment methods for evaluating impacts from pollution |
TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| SD-1 |
51 |
64. Integrate monitoring to evaluate ecological and human health impacts from spills and releases of hazardous materials |
GLO/ TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| SD-4 |
56 |
65. Assess existing state and federal response planning and equipment siting for spill preparedness |
GLO |
IP |
Ongoing? |
| SD-4 |
56 |
66. Complete GIS survey of estuary shoreline features that help or hinder spill response and clean-up |
GLO |
IP |
Ongoing? |
| SD-6 |
67 |
67. Conduct pilot projects and technical reviews to evaluate flooding potential of Phase I and II Stormwater floatable screening methods. Address concerns regarding adverse impacts of captured floatables |
Phase I, II municip./ TCEQ / EPA |
N |
As part of phase I and II implementation ? |
| SM-1 |
47 |
68. Identify eroding shoreline areas |
GLO/ UHCL |
IP |
New Item. Monitoring Subcommittee and NRU task. |
| SM-3 |
49 |
69. Compile list of actions to prevent existing facilities and abandoned pits from affecting bay during storm events |
CCC |
N |
|
| SM-3 |
49 |
70. Inventory existing hazardous materials/waste facilities in estuary and assess hurricane damage potential |
GLO |
N |
Monitoring Subcommittee and NRU task. |
| SM-4 |
50 |
71. Inventory and prioritize derelict structures and pipelines and state-owned lands based on aesthetics, habitat value, WQ and safety |
GLO |
N |
Monitoring Subcommittee and NRU task. |
| SM-5 |
55 |
72. Environmental impacts resulting from recreational uses of shorelines, especially near SAV |
GBEP/ TPWD |
N |
NRU/PPE ts |
| SM-5 |
55 |
73. Inventory and map existing public recreational facilities and assess public use needs |
GLO |
C |
Management Issue, Not Research. Done |
| SP-1 |
39 |
74. Assess population dynamics as related to recruitment of larvae and juveniles nursery areas, larval transport and mortality |
Academia/ TPWD |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
75. Characterize the ecosystem at plankton or benthic micro- and meiofaunal levels, including determination of exotic species establishment |
Academia |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
76. Conduct histopathological, contaminant and age survey of fishes in contaminated areas and role in distribution of contaminants and population dynamics |
Academia |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
77. Coordinate to expand and improve alligator population monitoring in wildlife refuges |
TPWD/ USFWS |
N |
Possibly too specific, not ecosystem wide unless indicator species |
| SP-1 |
39 |
78. Correlate impact of impingement and entrainment with by-catch of non-targeted species |
TPWD/ Reliant |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
79. Determine causes of declines in species populations, including time/trend analysis on factors influencing blue crab population |
TPWD/ USFWS/ GBEP NRU |
N |
Trend Analysis (Y) Factors (N) |
| SP-1 |
39 |
80. Determine effect of flood flows on species; use T.S. Allison event |
TPWD/ USFWS |
N |
oyster dieoff; comercial distributions |
| SP-1 |
39 |
81. Determine extent and impact of shrimp trawling on bay bottom |
TPWD |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
82. Determine habitat use and breeding ecology of seaside sparrows on Upper Texas Coast |
Academia |
N |
Too specific unless indicator species |
| SP-1 |
39 |
83. Determine impacts of stock enhancement efforts in terms of modifications to natural ecosystem |
TPWD / Academia |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
84. Determine survival rates of mottled duck broods and evaluate potential factors affecting survival rates (predation, habitat, etc.) |
TPWD / Academia |
N |
Too specific unless indicator species |
| SP-1 |
39 |
85. Evaluate fishery populations where structural marsh management occurs |
TPWD/ USFWS/ Academia |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
86. Evaluate importance of coastal wetlands for shorebirds including improved monitoring, determination of energetic requirements for priority species, and evaluation of resources necessary for maintenance of migratory and wintering populations |
TPWD/ USFWS/ USGS |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
87. Evaluate invertebrate species diversity and richness among salinity gradients in various marsh types |
Academia/ TCEQ/ TPWD |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
88. Examine socio-economic impacts of fisheries issues such as bycatch, creel limits and limited fisheries entry programs |
TPWD/ HARC |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
89. Inventory acreage and distribution of oyster reef |
TPWD/ NMFS/ NBS |
N |
New Item. Monitoring Subcommittee task. |
| SP-1 |
39 |
90. Investigate reintroduction of reduced/extirpated species |
TPWD/ Sea Center/ Abrego, Advisory Cmte. |
N |
Redfish, trout, flounder, tarpon. |
| SP-1 |
39 |
91. Investigate wintering bio-energetics of lesser scaup populations on Texas Coast |
TPWD/ Academia |
N |
Too specific unless indicator species |
| SP-1 |
39 |
92. Obtain baseline information (presence/absence, population densities) on mammalian and heptofaunal communities in coastal wetland habitats |
Academia |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
93. Participate in statewide amphibian inventory program |
TPWD/ USFWS |
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
94. Spatial aspects and causes of chlorophyll-a decline |
Academia |
N |
New item. Recommended by Dr. Sage. Elevate need? |
| SP-1 |
39 |
95. Study of conversion of oil/gas platforms to food production systems based upon capture or culture |
|
N |
|
| SP-1 |
39 |
96. TSS organic/inorganic composition and decline |
Academia |
N |
New item. Recommended by Dr. Sage. Elevate need? Related to Chlorophyl-a issue. |
| SP-10 |
69 |
97. Determine effects of water hyacinths on Clear Lake |
TPWD |
N |
|
| SP-10 |
69 |
98. Develop systematic monitoring of exotic species |
TPWD/ USFWS |
N |
|
| SP-10 |
69 |
99. Identify effective techniques for control of exotic species and conduct pilot tests of effectiveness |
TPWD/ USFWS |
N |
|
| SP-3 |
41 |
100. Continue HL&P project to create reef from fly ash |
Reliant/ Baker, USFWS/ TPWD |
C |
Usage based on economics. |
| SP-3 |
41 |
101. Identify locations for oyster reef creation |
TPWD/ Robinson/ TAMUG |
C |
New Item. Committee meets every Wednesday. |
| SP-4 |
42 |
102. Investigate reef ecology and compare natural and created oyster reefs |
TPWD/ USFWS/ NMFS/ TCEQ |
IP |
Work related to SEP/mitigation completed? |
| SP-5 |
43 |
103. Determine if by-catch reduction devices change the trophic structure of the ecosystem |
TPWD/ NMFS |
C |
New item. Current work on issue. See NMFS ecopath model. |
| SP-5 |
43 |
104. Determine survival rate of by-catch organisms |
NMFS, TPWD |
C |
Work by Robinson? |
| SP-5 |
43 |
105. Optimal by-catch devices and assess practicality of implementation |
NMFS, TPWD |
C |
Work by Robinson? |
| SP-7 |
45 |
106. Research and conduct pilot projects on impingement/entrainment reduction methods |
Reliant/ Baker, USFWS/ TPWD |
IP |
Ongoing Hydrocoustics and new pump tech. See CWA 316 (b). |
| SP-9 |
70 |
107. Determine effects of ballast water on exotic species introduction and effectiveness of enforcement on same |
TPWD/ USFWS/ USCoast Guard |
N |
|
| SP-? |
70 |
108. Effect of light pollution on diurnal cycles |
Academia |
N |
|
| SP-? |
70 |
109. Effects of toxic algal blooms on species |
Academia/ EPA/ TPWD/ |
N |
|
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
110. Atmospheric deposition and loading (wet/dry), exchange of pollutants at air-water interface, water, sediment and shellfish monitoring aspects, sources of funding, Houston SIP aspects |
Academia/ TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
New Item |
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
111. Characterization and determination of sources of sediment contamination in urban tributaries |
TCEQ |
N |
|
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
112. Characterize vertical distribution and determine potential sources of pollutants; determine potential impacts to early life history of estuarine organisms. |
NOAA/ TCEQ/ EPA/ TPWD |
N |
|
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
113. Determine the WSQ before and after HSC dredging projects |
Academia |
N |
New Item. Assume toxics-related |
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
114. Identify WSQ toxic hotspots through routine monitoring |
TCEQ/ GBEP |
N |
New Item. Coordinate with Monitoring Subcommittee |
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
115. Perform loading studies on continuing sources of PCBs and DDT and identify potential sources of toxicity. Include methodology resolution, role of surface microlayer, influence of ambient conditions, effects on organisms and biological community structure. |
TCEQ/ USFWS |
N |
|
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
116. Research sediment transport of pollutants and degree of resuspension from the bay bottom |
Academia |
N |
New Item. |
| WSQ-2 |
33 |
117. Study dynamics of physical, chemical and biological pathways of toxicants and related accumulations in sediments, marine organisms and food chain in general |
TDH/ Academia/ TCEQ/ EPA/ NOAA |
N |
|
| WSQ-3 |
34 |
118. Develop sediment quality criteria |
TCEQ/ EPA |
N |
|
| WSQ-4 |
35 |
119. Develop methods to integrate NPS and PS into TMDL process and perform research to quantify transport and fate in the bay. |
TCEQ/ TMDL |
IP |
Ongoing Assume TMDL work on this issue. |
| WSQ-6 |
58 |
120. Conduct engineering study/use attainability analysis to increase HSC D.O. |
TCEQ/ H-GAC |
Y |
Ongoing work by engineering firm. |
| WSQ-6 |
58 |
121. Hydrology of area bayous as related to nutrient loadings and FW inflows |
Academia |
N |
|
| WSQ-6 |
58 |
122. System nutrient budget improvements |
Academia |
N |
|
Note :-
| **Plan Action |
= |
Area in The Galveston Bay Plan |
| ***Action Rank |
= |
Original rank of item in The Galveston Bay Plan |
| ****IP |
= |
In Progress |
| ****N |
= |
No Progress |
| ****C |
= |
Complete |
|
| || Close || |